REDUCTION OF WAGES.

Otago Witness, Volume 11, Issue 2280, 11 November 1897, Page 13

REDUCTION OF WAGES.

London, November 2. The cotton spinners have given notice ofa reduction 'of \wagea by 5 percent; They," have, however, offered to submit the proposals kf arbitration in accordance with an existing agreement with the operatives.

A STBIKE ENDED.

Sydney, November 4.

A further complication has ensued at the Lucknow mine. The assistant manager of the Darck-Wentworth mine informed the men that only a few old hands will be taken back at 7s 6d per day, and that the bulk will only receive 7s. The men declined this, and there is a possibility of the strike being resumed.

November 5.

The manager of the D'Arcy Wentworth mine at Lucknow has agreed to similar terms to those conceded by the Wentworth mine management, .and the strike has been declared off.

November 6.

An attempt was made to renew the strike of miners at the Wentvrorth mine, but it failed. The Strike Committee assured themselves that the men on the contract are receiving 7s 6d per day, and they have finally declared the strike off.

Auckland, November 4.

Afc a meeting called l«st night by the Trades and Labour Council ' and by the' Eighty Hours League resolutions of' sympathy .with the British engineers in*" their Btruggle to, obtain the adoption of eight hours as a working day were carried. 16 was also decided to urge 'the Government of this colony to press on the Eight' Hours Bill, and that all Government employees" should be brought under its operation. . -. New Plymouth, November 2. ~ A. dispute occurred between the local caraen-

ters and builders .as tothe- payment for 47 or 4-8 hours. The men work 47 -hour* and; deicauded payment for 4-8. " About 4-0 men struck this morning, but the builders having conceded 48 hours' pay for » 47-hour week, the niea resumed work.

At the last meeting of the Dunedin branch of the Amalgamated Society of Engineer*, &o.j the following resolutions were passed :—": — " That we send £50 in aid of the eight hours slriks and lock-out in the United Kingdom. That we bold a demonstration at an early date for the same purpose. That the secretary write to the Hon. the Premier on behalf of. the Eight Hours Bill, and urge for a clause to reduce overtime to its lowest limit." It was reported that subscriptions wero coming in freely from organised unions and sympathisers outside of unions, and from all parts of the colony.

A meeting convened by the Trades Council was held on the 2nd of delegates to the [ council' and executive officers of unions .'not | affiliated to the councilto take steps to support with funds and sympathy the engineers in Britain now engaged in a struggle for eight hours. Mr Davey (president of the Trades Council) was in the chair, and there was a fair | attendance. It was unanimously decided, provided .Mr Ben Tillett's services could be obtained,' to Sold an opeD-air demonstration next ' Saturday afternoon of unions and others, to raise funds, for the support, of the engineers on strike; for eight, houri per day „^and further, that' on 'Sunday, a ball be engaged | where.. addresses will be given by Mr-j pen Tillett and others, and, a" collection taken ;up; The city bands and; all in sympathy w^h^ the, 1 objects of the demonstration, will be t in^jied'it'p take"' part- in 'the -procession on Saturday. >( It was decided to, 'adjourn the meeting until Thursday evening", by which time a reply is expected from Mr Tillett.' The mooting. Was a very enthubiastic^one.

The Wellington Trades Council passed a resolution taking exception to the Premier's statement that workiDg people objected ,to-.the inspectors in the Labour department receiving larger salaries than they themselves earned. They deny it applies to Wellington, and cannot understand why any section of the workers should be so contemptible as to attempt to bring all the branches of labour down to one level.

The President of the Arbitration Court,, Mr Justice Williams, bas fixed Monday, December 6, at 11 a.m., at the Supreme Court, Dunedin, as the time and place for the sitting of the Arbitration Court to hear the bakers' dispute ; and Tuesday, December 7, at 11 o'clock, at -the same place, to hear the dispute in the tattering trade.

The usual fortnightly meeting of the Dunedin Brancb, No. 625,^Anaaigamated Society of Carpenter* and Joiners, was held on Saturday night. Being a summoned meeting night the attendance was large and most enthusiastic. The following resolutions were carried unanimously — " That wo the members of thi« branch levy ourselves Is per week per member to assist our fellow- workers in BritaiD, the levyto continue as long as . the strike, continues.'' Also—" Thatr our contribution commence from the passing of this resolution, and the proceeds he' handed over to the local. branch of > the Amalgamated Society, ".of Engineers, as ,our society' being one thaV 1* spread over many lands it is necessary, according to our rules, to get the sanction of our district, but seeing that we in the past have always held a high position as regards aiding the oppressed we.hvre no fea* but thai; our resolution will receive ft unjvnW moufi conurmfttion.** ' . ' '